Presumptions of Piety

“… Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light…” (2:257)

To journey through the pages of the Quran is to pass through doors illuminated by the light of Allah subhaana wa ta’aala. Gradually each verse becomes a new threshold to be discovered and explored and each word a minute cosmos that invites us to enlightenment. Imperceptibly the words transform the reader from within and, if Allah wills, the guidance of the Quran fills the heart with light. It is that blessed heart that can perceive that the whole Universe is filled with the radiance of Allah and testifies to His Oneness and is bowed in eternal submission. By the time one reaches Sura Nur in Juz 18, a spotlight seems to turn upon the reader of the Quran who is being interrogated by its words. The question being asked is: “If everything is so clear how come you are still disobedient to the commands of Allah? What is your excuse?”

“Is there disease in their hearts? Or have they doubted? Or do they fear that Allah will be unjust to them, or His Messenger? Rather, it is they who are the wrongdoers.” (24:50)